In fact, it's so easy, some may subconsciously overcomplicate things. Ease of use is a primary focus of the Prince's design. So when you are battling the Warrior - a massive creature made of stone - you instinctively know that if you want to slide between his legs, you're going to use the acrobatic button.
These work both while free running about the world and in combat. There's one for acrobatics, your sword and your gauntlet.
The rest of the Prince's actions are just as simple as commanding Elika. It's because Elika is such a natural extension of the gameplay that it's easy to care for her. All Ubisoft did was take these very standard gameplay elements and give them a physical form. We've all seen a double jump before and heroes who mix in magic with their swordplay. In truth, Elika is really just a manifestation of actions we've been performing in games for years. And that's saying something, considering how quickly the Prince moves about the world. Her AI is perfectly designed so that she never takes the lead and never gets in the way. Double jumps, combat moves and magic with Elika are all assigned to one button. And the real genius is that Elika is as easy to control as pressing a single button. Elika is so significant to the story and gameplay that I found myself caring far more for her safety than that of my own character, the Prince. The longer you hold on to the style of last generation's Prince of Persia, the harder it will be to master the new one. Ubisoft Montreal has created a new Prince, in a new world, with a new female companion and a very different design philosophy. Forget what you know about the Prince of Persia series.